(StatePoint) ‘Tis the season for not only celebrating the holidays, but also financial planning for the new year.

(StatePoint) Afterschool programs give children and youth a safe place to connect and learn after the school day ends, and research shows that programs boost students’ academic achievement and help them engage with their communities. They help children succeed in school and in life by providing homework help, mentors, healthy snacks and meals, exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other skills, college and career prep, and more.

(StatePoint) November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, and the American Lung Association, with support from Merck, is raising awareness about one form of the condition: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

(StatePoint) Ninety-five percent of parents with a child enrolled in an afterschool program are satisfied with that program, and there is overwhelming support for more government funding for afterschool, according to a new study. But unmet demand for these programs is high in all 50 states, and majorities of middle- and low-income families who want afterschool programs are being shut out.

(StatePoint) Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a dangerous, sometimes deadly threat, often impacting people in places where they sleep, such as at home or in hotels, motels and vacation rentals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

(StatePoint) The plains bison (or buffalo) is America’s National Mammal. When you think of this majestic species, several associations may come to mind: their long history with Native people and the animal’s near extinction, their impressive size, and their place within our national parks.

(StatePoint) As you prepare for the arrival of your new baby, there’s likely one item on the top of your wish list: optimal health for you and your newborn.

(StatePoint) After a disaster strikes, following these essential steps can help you protect your home, stabilize your finances and begin the process of rebuilding:

(StatePoint) Charitable giving and helping communities provide many of us with a sense of purpose and joy. However, giving back looks different for everyone. No matter your charitable giving goals, thoughtful planning can help tailor your strategy to best help your chosen charity and your own finances.

(StatePoint) What if happiness isn’t about accumulating wealth, but about how you use your resources—time, money and emotional energy—to create joy for yourselves and others? Picture your next family gathering not filled with tension or superficial chatter, but genuine laughter and meaningful connections. Imagine seeing the joy on your loved ones’ faces when you share something special with them—not after you’re gone, but right now, creating memories that last.

(StatePoint) The world’s deadliest animal isn’t a lion, tiger, bear or venomous snake. It’s a tiny but bloodthirsty insect: the mosquito. And the assumption of many pet lovers that mosquitoes are just a seasonal threat may be putting their four-legged family members at risk.

(StatePoint) You answer the phone and hear a familiar voice, but are you sure you know who it is on the other end of the line? The correct answer should be “no.”

(StatePoint) Getting the correct treatment for bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition affecting 350,000 to 500,000 adults nationwide, is necessary to slow disease progression and help prevent further damage to the airways.

(StatePoint) Among the many implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law this past July 4, are cuts to health and nutrition benefits for millions of Americans, which could have significant negative implications for babies and children, according to the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT).

(StatePoint) Plastics are no longer just an environmental issue — they are a direct threat to human health. Found in homes, workplaces and schools, scientists are increasingly finding plastics inside our bodies. Microplastics and toxic chemicals have been detected in human blood, feces, lungs, breast milk, placentas, stomachs and even brains — and babies are exposed before they are even born. Nanoplastics are particularly concerning because they are small enough to enter individual cells and tissues, raising red flags about long-term health effects.

(StatePoint) Military deployments – when service members are required to leave their home station and travel abroad – typically last between six and 12 months and can be hard on both service members and families. While deployments don’t always involve combat, they can involve long hours, specialized work, and few of the creature comforts and resources service members might enjoy at their home stations.

(StatePoint) In a May 2025 national poll by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association in cooperation with the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 4 out of 5 survey takers said they are familiar with fluoride’s role in oral health and that fluoride is particularly important for children, while more than 2 out of 3 said they are comfortable with fluoride in their tap water.

(StatePoint) College rankings headlines are often dominated by the same names: Ivy Leagues, elite research universities and schools that admit only a fraction of applicants. But that leaves out most students, say experts.

(StatePoint) Each year, 500 to 1,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare lung disease that can be fatal if left untreated.

(StatePoint) For older adults, fall is an important time to focus on health and wellness.

(StatePoint) Tradition is meeting innovation in today’s memorial practices, proving that even life’s final chapter can be reimagined.

(StatePoint) It’s back to school time and there is so much for families to do to get ready for the school year ahead, from getting school supplies to signing up for after school programs. Making sure kids have health care needs covered should be a part of those preparations.

(StatePoint) Women face unique financial challenges, such as career breaks for caregiving and gender wealth gaps.

(StatePoint) Mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression, are common among older adults, and can be exacerbated by declining health, loss of loved ones, financial challenges and late-in-life regrets.

(StatePoint) Women today control more money than ever before and are expected to inherit $30 trillion in wealth over the next decade. As women reshape the financial picture in the United States, demand will grow for financial planners who can better meet their needs. One way to fulfill that demand? Bring more women into the financial services profession.

(StatePoint) Immunizations prepare young people’s immune systems to recognize and resist viruses that spread quickly. These are viruses that can lead to health issues like infertility, muscle paralysis, brain damage, blindness, deafness and cancer.

(StatePoint) As the sun sets over a forest stream, a beaver family gets to work. For millions of years, these large rodents with bright orange teeth and a flat paddle-shaped tail have been reshaping landscapes by craftily constructing dams that slow flowing water, creating ponds where they build their lodge homes. Chomping through the night, they drag aspen and willow branches through the water, stack them with precision, and seal the gaps with mud and plants. All this hard work benefits people and the planet.

(StatePoint) From schoolwork and homework to friendships and extracurriculars to potentially dealing with difficult situations like bullying, there is a lot for kids to navigate during the school year.